TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Goa government and LUGOC have created world class infrastructure and that too in double quick time, Mario Rosa de Almeida, General Secretary, ACOLOP said in a warm compliment to those individuals and agencies which made the Lusofonia Games 2014 happen.
“We are extremely grateful to the organizing committee LUGOC for organizing everything perfectly. Things have been planned well and are running smoothly. Thanks to LUGOC we are able to relax and enjoy the Games,” he said.
Almeida has been visiting Goa ever since the State started raising the necessary infrastructure for the grand multi-country event and said that he was ‘pleasantly surprised’ by the manner in which the delivery of infrastructure happened in a quick and speedy manner.
“I visited Goa a number of times, especially for the inspection visits we made. I was pleasantly surprised to see how fast the work has been completed. The infrastructure is world class and of international standards. It’s a sheer miracle that the organizing committee has been able to complete all the work and ensure that the stadiums were ready within the deadline,” Almeida stated.
Goa, especially will never be the same again, Almeida proudly states, as far as sports and sportspersons are concerned, thanks to the world class infrastructure raised for the Games.
“This excellent infrastructure will benefit the State and the people of Goa especially budding athletes and sportspersons. Goa will never be the same again,” he said.
Calling the opening ceremony of the Lusofonia Games 2014 ‘nothing short of a spectacular’ event, Almeida said that the massive crowd which had assembled at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium was a barometer of the Games’ success.
“Yes. We are extremely happy with the response. The opening ceremony was amazing, nothing short of spectacular. There was massive participation from the people of Goa, which was evident from the large crowds that turned up at the stadium. Like the people of Goa, we too are truly happy,” according to Almeida.
Asked why the participation of the contingent from Angola was slim, Almeida said: “Other competitions have clashed with the Lusofonia games causing low participation. However, it’s not a problem for Portugal and Brazil but Angola couldn’t make it as the football calendar is tight and Brazil has never participated in football at the Lusofonia games”.
